United Way launches annual kick-off

Friday

Aug 30, 2013 at 6:00 AM

The United Way of Dodge City is hosting its eighth annual kick-off for its fundraising campaign on Friday Aug. 30 at the south parking lot of Memorial Stadium from 5:45 to 7 p.m. The campaign will run from Sept. 1 to Feb. 14.

The event will feature a tailgate and will run concurrently with the Dodge City High School Red Demons football team’s watermelon scrimmage. Food will be provided by a number of companies and will include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda and Girl Scout cookies.

“I’m excited about it,” Gayle Ausmus, Executive Director for United Way, said. “It’s exciting to be able to kick off with the Red Demons football team.”

The United Way has had a presence in Dodge City since 1946. The organization brings together people from diverse groups and creates partnerships in support of programs to help the community. It funds 16 partner agencies including United Cerebral Palsy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ford County Kids Count, Santa Fe Trail Boy Scouts and more. It is also involved in community impact projects.

Pierre DumontDodge City Daily Globe

The United Way of Dodge City is hosting its eighth annual kick-off for its fundraising campaign on Friday Aug. 30 at the south parking lot of Memorial Stadium from 5:45 to 7 p.m. The campaign will run from Sept. 1 to Feb. 14.

The event will feature a tailgate and will run concurrently with the Dodge City High School Red Demons football team’s watermelon scrimmage. Food will be provided by a number of companies and will include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda and Girl Scout cookies.

“I’m excited about it,” Gayle Ausmus, Executive Director for United Way, said. “It’s exciting to be able to kick off with the Red Demons football team.”

The United Way has had a presence in Dodge City since 1946. The organization brings together people from diverse groups and creates partnerships in support of programs to help the community. It funds 16 partner agencies including United Cerebral Palsy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ford County Kids Count, Santa Fe Trail Boy Scouts and more. It is also involved in community impact projects.

“These agencies provide services and programs to meet immediate and long-term needs of city, county and surrounding area residents,” Ausmus said.

“United Way focuses on funding education, income and health,” she added.

There is no charge for the event and free-will donations to the United Way will be accepted. According to Ausmus, last year the organization raised about $300,000 in pledged dollars for the year. This year, the organization hopes to raise $295,000.

“We’re here to make a difference in people’s lives,” Ausmus said.

Ausmus said the United Way is hosting the kick-off to show its appreciation to the community for supporting the organization.